The Melbourne Theatre Company and Melbourne School of Government present a special alumni viewing of The Speechmaker

In celebration of the Melbourne School of Government's first Term in Office, following its launch in 2013, the Faculty of Arts Alumni Relations team and Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) will hold a special networking opportunity in July combining wine, canapés and scintillating political satire.

Selected alumni of the Faculty will attend a special viewing of the MTC's latest production, The Speechmaker, the first stage production written by Working Dog, the iconic Australian team behind classic Australian films and television programsThe Castle, The Dish, Frontline and The Hollowmen. The Speechmaker marks the exciting crossover of the Working Dog team from the silver screen to the stage.

The writing talent behind The Speechmaker, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch, are all University of Melbourne alumni, with Santo and Tom both graduates of the Faculty of Arts. Working Dog was formed in 1993 when Cilauro, Gleisner and Sitch joined forces with their friends Jane Kennedy and Michael Hirsh. Since then, Working Dog have fine-tuned their sense of comic rhythm and timing through various television and film productions, collaborating on some of Australia's most iconic productions.

The Speechmaker boasts a stellar cast featuring much loved local talents such as Erik Thomson (Packed to the Rafters) as the President, and Offspring's Lachy Hulme, Kat Stewart and Jane Harber. Joined by MTC regular Nicholas Bell, and The Hollowmen's David James, The Speechmaker has brought together a dynamic collection of performers for what will no doubt be a remarkable ensemble drama. Early reviews suggest theatre-goers can expect the trademark intellect, razor-sharp wit and critical insight of other Working Dog productions, located within a political context that goes straight to the heart of political ethics and (im)morality.

Air Force One is London-bound for a surprise Christmas meeting between the US President and the British PM. It will be a diplomatic coup, not to mention one hell of a media opportunity – a no-risk vote-winner for the price of a little jet fuel, and the chance for the Leader of the Free World to give the speech of a lifetime.

Yet with the seatbelt signs barely switched off, what appears to be a major international crisis begins to unfold.  As the stakes rise and the clock ticks, the President and his advisors are forced to make some uncomfortable decisions.

The Director of the Melbourne School of Government, Professor Helen Sullivan, along with staff from the Melbourne School of Government and Faculty of Arts, look forward to welcoming their alumni and sharing what promises to be a delightful and thought-provoking afternoon of politics.

The much anticipated season of The Speechmaker is now SOLD OUT. To ensure you do not miss out on future events of this nature, be sure to sign up for our mailing lists for information about the Melbourne School of Government and other alumni events.